COMMUNITY FORUM

2-prong to 3-prong outlet adaptor

I recently set up a new desk in one of our bedrooms and was planning to put my computer on it. Unfortunately I found out that we only have 2-prong outlets in that bedroom, and the computer cords are all 3-prong. I have a 2-prong to 3-prong adapter, but I wasn't sure if it would be a good idea to use it. It has the thin metal piece that a screw goes through in order to ground it. I also took off the face plate and found that there are four wires that go into the current outlet, two that hook into each side of the metal outlet. I also have a surge protecter that I was planning to use with the adapter. Anyway, is this a good/bad idea? Any help would be greatly appreciated.Thanks.

BobF

03:59AM | 07/12/99

You need a ground for the surge protection to actually protect the hardware. You may have the ground wire, just not used.

Call in a qualified electrician to install a new outlet with the proper grounding.

SHOCK

08:27AM | 07/17/99

OUR CHECK YOUR LOCAL CODS ON THE USE OF A GFCI.I SAY THIS BECAUSE IN THE NEC 1999 210-7 3 B SAYS THAT YOU CAN CHANGE OUT A NON GROUNDEG OUTLET TO A GFCI. SO ASK YOUR ELECTRIAN ABOUT THIS.